Microbiological profile and surgical outcomes of primary canaliculitis

• Author Details:   
• Farhana Afrin Nipa
• Farzana Afzal
• Sadia Sultana
• Riffat Rashid
• Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir ^*

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Purpose: To evaluate the microbiological profile and surgical outcomes of primary canaliculitis.

Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was performed between January 2020 and December 2023. The patients were diagnosed clinically with primary canaliculitis and treated in a tertiary eye hospital. The demographic variables, clinical presentation, microbiological profile, and surgical outcomes measure were analyzed in this study.

Results: Out of 34 patients, 19 were women, and 15 were men, with a mean age of 54.36. The right eye was affected in 18 patients, the left eye in 15 patients, and both eyes in one patient. The common clinical presentations were epiphora in 32 (91.42%), punctal swelling in 30 (85.71%), mucous discharge in 28 (80.00%), pain in 10 (28.57%), and conjunctival congestion in 8 (22.85%) patients. All patients underwent a canaliculotomy with expression of materials, followed by irrigation with an antibiotic solution. According to the microbiological profile, the most common organism was actinomyces, found in 32 patients. Staphylococcus species was noted in 2 patients, and granulation tissue was found in 1 patient. Post-surgical follow-ups were conducted up to 6 months, and complete resolution of symptoms and signs was observed in 33 (97.05%) patients; only 1 (3.03%) patient complained of persistent epiphora. No patient developed a recurrence of canaliculitis.

Conclusion: Canaliculotomy with expression of materials, followed by irrigation with an antibiotic solution, is the gold standard for an easy, safe, and effective procedure in cases of primary canaliculitis, with minimal postoperative complications.